Indicator for steam pressing irons



PF 9 E929- c. A.k BREWER 1,708,048

INDICATOR FOR STEAM PBESSING IRONS Filed Jan. 29, 1926 2 Sheets-Shawl -A l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS L Apro 9, 1929.,

unir srarns una@ HARLES A. BREWER, 0F NOROTQN HEIGHTS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 CANNON ENGINEERING C0., OIE' BROOKLYN,'NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK,

INDICATOR FOR STEAM PRESSING XEON S.

l. Application led January 29, 1926. Serial No. 84,612.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in steam pressing irons; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to a means for visibly indicating to the user the working conditions of the pressing face of the iron.

tn the use of steam pressing irons, in which conditions of both heat and moisture are involved, it is highly desirable that the operator hel aware that the right conditions with respect to heat and moisture are maintained; since, if the temperature of the ironis allowed to rise too high, not only does the extravasated steam approach the so-called dry condition in which its dampening effect upon the goods being pressed is impaired or diminished, but the body of the iron may become hot enough to damage said goods by scorching or burning.; while, on the other hand, if the temperature of the iron is allowed to drop too low, not only is the pressing etliciency of the iron impaired, but the steam within the same tends to condense, whereby water is extravasated from the pressing face of the iron upon the goods, with the consequent likelihood of soiling or staining the latter.

1t is the object of this invention to provide a novel means for visibly indicating the working condition of a steam pressing iron, with particular reference to conditions at the pressing face thereof; and, to this end, the invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of thermometric indicatingl means, having a novel association with the iron bottom, together with a novel arrangement of indicator plate with which said thermometric means cooperates.

'llhe invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a steam pressing iron equipped with the novel visible indicating means made according to and embodying theprinciples of this invention; Figure 2 is in part a side elevation and in part a longitudinal section 'of said steam pressing iron, the indicator plate being removed; Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken on line 3 3 in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a fragnientary transverse section, taken on line 4r-a in said Figure 2.- 'Similar characters of reference are einployed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings, the reference character 5 indicates the body portion of the iron, `which is suitably constructed to provide an internal steam chamber 6 above its pressing face portion 7. Suitably connected with the body portion 5 is a top-casing or cover member 8, to the upper side of which is fastened the handle-member 9 by which the iron may be manipulated. Connected with the heel of said body portion 5 is a steamint'ake means 10 for delivering steam from a suitable source into said steam chamber 6. Fhe free end of said steam-intake means l0 is provided with a coupling-neck l1 for the attachment therewith of a flexible steam delivery conduit or hose (not shown) which leads from the steam supply or source. The

ypressing face portion 7 is provided with a plurality of suitably disposed perforations or openings 12 which lead from said steam chamber 6 to the bottomor pressing face 13 of the 'iron body, and through which steam is extravasated to the theC iron. l

onnected with the up er side-of said body 5, within the casing18 is an electrical heating u nit 14 of any suitable type. Connected witli `the rear end of said casing 8, so as to proJect exteriorly therethrough, are insulated contact-pins 15 to receive a suitable coupling means for electrically connecting the iron in a service circuit in the usual manner. Mounted within said casing 8 is a thermostatic circuit breaker or switch 16, provided with suitable means 17 for adjusting the same. Said.' heating unit- 14 and thermostatic switch 16 are electrically connected in series between the respective contact-pins .15.

.The novel visible indicating means, pro vided in connection with the iron body 5, is arranged and constructed as follows:

Said iron body 5 is provided, in cannection with one side thereof, with a longitudinal external cavity or housing chamber 18. Extending inwardly from said external cavity or housing chamber 18 is a lateral branch or pocket 19, the inner end of which is disposed in the pressing face portion 7 of said iron body 5, and preferably in a substantially central location relative to the same. Arranged within said cavity or housgoods being Uressedby .ing chamber 18 and its'branch or pocket 19 is a thermometric indicator comprising a 'transparent tubular element 20 provided with a lateral extensionl terminating in a bulb portion 22 adapted to contain a teinvzo mometric indicator is retained in the dc,

scribed assembled relation by a suitable fastening means, preferably in the form of a metallic clip 24, the base 25 of which is secured to the rear Wall of said cavity or housing chamber 18 by a fastening screw 26, while the main portion thereof passes externally around the element 20 so as to firmly embrace and retain the same against movement, and at the same time to hold the lateral extension 21 and its bulb portion 22 against outward withdrawal from the branch or pocket 19. The outer open side of said external cavity or housing chamber 18 is closed b a transparent panel 27 preferably made o tubular c ement 20 is visible. Said {gransparent panel 27 is inscribedwith zone marks 28 ldividing the same into a plurality of indicating zones, which are respectively designated with suitable inscri )tions denoting conditions at the pressing ace of the iron,

to wit, Water, Steam press, Scorch and Burn Said zones are so disposed in relation to the thermometric indicator as to cooperate with the movement of the temperature res onsive Huid 23 thereof, in the manner clear y to be understood by an inspection of Figure 1 of the drawings.

In operation, electric current is served to the heating unit 14, and the body 5 of the iron is thereby heated to condition the same for service. As the temperature of the pressing face portion 7 rises, the temperature responsive fluid 23 within the bulb portion 22 of the thermometric indicator will expand and thus be caused to travel outwardly through the lateral extension 2l and .tubular element 20. When said fluid 23 in its movement enters or is visible through the zone of the transparent indicator panel 27 which is denoted Steam press, steam from a suitable source is introduced into the steam-chamber 6, and the iron is thereupon ready for steam pressing operations.

As the operator manipulates the iron to press goods, the steam from the steam chamber 6 will be extravasated through the openings or perforations 12 of the Dressing face portion 7 so as to be discharged with good dampehing effect from the pressing face of the iron. I

As use of the iron continues, if the temperlate glass, and through which the arcanes ature at the pressing face portion 7 rises too high, the fluid 23 of the thermometric indicator will further expand, so that the same will progress or move on through the tubular element 20, and will enter or be visible through the zones of the transparent indicator panel 27 denoted Scorch and Burn, thus 'giving the operator avisible indication that the condition of the pressing face portion 7 of the -iron is approaching an abnormal overheated condition likely to result in injury to the goods as well as to reduce the ethciency of the steam pressing function thereof. Upon such indication the operator, may interrupt, regulate or reduce the electrical current served to theheating unit to lower the temperature of the iron, and bring the same back to normal steam pressing condition; if, on the other hand, the temperature at the pressin face portion 7 drops too low, the fluid 2B of t e thermometric indicator will contract, so that the same will retreat through the tubular element 20, and will be visible only through the zone of the transparent indicator panel 27 denoted Water, thus giving the operator a visible indication that the condition of the ressing face portion 7 of the iron is approac ing abnormal underheated condition, likely to result in condensation of steam and consequent undesirable extravasation of water upon the goods, as well as impairment of the ressing efiiciency of the iron. Upon such in ication the operator may make such adjustments of current service as may be Vrequired to raise the temperature, and bring the same back to normal stea pressing condition. y

One of the advantages of my novel arrangement and construction of thermometric indicator device is that the same is associated directly with the pressing face portion of the iron, which is the effective part of theiron with which the goods are engaged, and the working condition of which it 1s highly essential should be known to the operator. By reasonof the direct and close cooperative association of the thermometric indicator,` with the pressing face portion of the iron, it follows that the indicator is quickly responsive j l eiiiciency of the iron results.

Having thus described my invention, I claim z- 1. In a steam pressing iron provided with a body having a perforated pressing face portion and containing a steam chamber contiguous toy said perforate pressing face portion, said body having an open housing chamber in a side thereof provided with a lateral branch extending into said pressing face portion of said body, a thermometric indicator having its bulb end entered in said lateral branch and the free end portion of its tubular element disposed in said housing chamber,

and a transparent indicator panel secured across said open housing chamber to overlie the exposed tubular element of said thermomtric indicator, said panel being divided into zones denoting various Working conditions at the pressing face portion of the iron.

2. In a steam pressing iron provided with a body having a perforated pressing face portion and containing a steam chamber contiguous to said perforate pressin face portion, a thermometric indicator having its bulb end imbedded in said pressing face portion of4 

